Sickening moment homeless thug killed disabled charity worker with single punch in street row
Christopher Shipway already suffered from brain injuries when he was hit
THIS is the sickening moment a homeless thug killed a man with just one punch.
CCTV footage shows Marc Bennison, 37, launch a cowardly attack on Christopher Shipway in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, on August 25 last year.
Bennison can then be seen standing over Mr Shipway as he lay dying in the street on Old Market Place.
Mr Shipway died in Hull Royal Infirmary on September 1 – just days before his 47th birthday.
Bennison has been jailed for four years after he was found guilty following a four-day trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Mr Shipway’s devastated family said they hoped releasing the video would make people understand just how dangerous just one punch can be.
VICTIM WORKED WITH BRAIN INJURY CHARITY
He had suffered lifelong brain injuries after being starved of oxygen at birth and worked with the charity Headway.
Mr Shipway was also involved in two road accidents at the ages of five and 12, suffering serious injuries, including a fractured skull in one and broken legs in the other, leaving him with a limp.
In a joint statement following the verdict, Mr Shipway’s relatives said: “We are devastated to have lost Christopher in such unnecessary circumstances.
“Amongst many things, we are so proud of the voluntary work Christopher was involved in, particularly with Headway which is a brain injury charity.
“It is a tragic coincidence that it was a traumatic brain injury that took him from us. It was a wholly unnecessary and completely avoidable death.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank DC Martin Guest, DCI Stewart Miller, all the police officers involved and Mr Jeremy Evans from the CPS in doing everything possible to help us to reach the point we have today.
“As well as Marc Bennison having to pay a custodial sentence and although we are pleased with today’s outcome, sadly it won’t bring Christopher back.”
We are devastated to have lost Christopher in such unnecessary circumstances
Mr Shipway's family
Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Miller, of Humberside Police, said: “I want to thank the jury for their careful consideration over this difficult decision.
“This was a case where a single-punch unlawful assault was carried out after a degree of verbal provocation.
“There was no doubt that Marc Bennison caused the fatal injury. I am glad that the jury felt that the self defence claimed by Marc Bennison was not legitimate and that the assault was not justified or lawful in the circumstances.
“The lack of remorse by Marc Bennison simply aggravated his actions.
“A single punch has unnecessarily destroyed a number of lives. There were no winners in this incident.
“I would urge anyone thinking of responding to provocation by using force or violence to think again. Walk away instead and call police.”
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